I have been riding my bicycle almost everywhere I go for the past 6 months

[Lady Effingbroke]

in fact, it is my primary form of transportation. I am lucky in that my life, what little there is of it, is arranged in such a way that I do not have to drive very often. I can easily ride to school (a little over 2 miles) and my job ( 1 mile). I have come to view any location within 10 miles of my house as being within biking distance. Unfortunately I still do have to drive to some locations simply because of time constraints and the logistics of transporting stuff, however, I have come to view owning a car as a necessary evil and try to drive as little as possible. I last filled up my car on Memorial Weekend and I still have 3/4 of a tank left.

Most people here in this miserable corner of my home town think I'm nuckin' futz for riding when I could drive, but I know bike pedals are better than gas pedals for the environment (and me). It is sometimes lonely when I'm the only bicyclist amidst a sea of Expeditions and F-350 duallys, but I derive some small comfort from the knowledge that I am doing the right thing.

Oh, yeah, and I live in Houston.

(Just a meaningless post that will sink like the Titanic, but I feel better for having posted it.)

[deadparrot]

1. Good for you!

Unfortunately, my school is 3.5 hours away by car, and my work is about 17 miles away, so biking's not really an option.

However, when it comes to running errands (for a couple items from the supermarket, drugstore, etc.), I usually walk. Plus, I powerwalk 3 miles a day on a track by my house.

It makes me feel good, mentally and physically.

[Lady Effingbroke]

4. Thank you for your reply, deadparrot! (great user name, btw).

We all have to do what we can, whether it's walking, biking, or using public transportation. :hi:.

I agree with you about walking/biking and physical fitness. I am in much better shape, at least aerobically, than I was 6 months ago when I started pedaling.

[deadparrot]

5. Thanks...you're got a pretty cool user name yourself!

:)

[Systematic Chaos]

2. Excellent for you!!

My wife and I are using bicycles also, now that we lost our car. Yeah, the traffic sucks and all, and Vegas has been a furnace this summer, but with the shape I'm in and the weight I'm carrying I need to burn some calories somehow. :)

[Lady Effingbroke]

7. Yes, you do tend to burn the calories when biking in hot weather!

[madrchsod]

3. i drive 50 miles a day

cause i can`t get a job in my hometown and that makes no sense at all now does it. my goal is to be able to bike to work but it looks like that will never happen.

[Lady Effingbroke]

8. Sadly, there are many people in your situation.

I feel for you, as the price of gas is so high (at least it is for a minimum wage worker like me).

I hope you get a job in your home town soon!

[Robeson]

6. I'm proud of you, Lady Effingbroke!...

...plus, I don't get to write to a real Lady all the time, so speaking to someone anointed by the Queen, is a real privilege.

Bike riding is great exercise. I remember the first time we went to Amsterdam, the locals were all in great shape. No doubt, because they rode bikes all the time. Keep up the good work!...:thumbsup:

[Lady Effingbroke]

9. Oh, you've been to Amsterdam! More than once! I am insanely jealous!!!

I would love to be able to visit Amsterdam, or even any city in America with excellent public transportation.

Thank you for your reply!

[Omphaloskepsis]

10. I have only been in a car eight times in the last three months..

All of them in the last week. 2 trips to the emergency room and 2 trips to the outskirts of town for parties.

I ride my bike everywhere. But, it is easy where I live. Kinda sucks buying food one backpack at a time though.

[Lady Effingbroke]

11. Welcome to DU, Omphaloskepsis!

Isn't it great to be able to ride everywhere? A bicycle gives you freedom; you're a slave to a car.

I hope you're ok after the trips to the emergency room!

[Wetzelbill]

12. that's great !

And, plus that wonderful Houston air has got to be great for you! I know this because W. says that the air was cleaner...

Nevermind. Honestly. Way to go! Keep at it. You are a dedicated DUer for sure.

[Lady Effingbroke]

13. lol!

I do often wonder exactly how healthy this whole biking thing is as I pedal along, sucking great lungfuls of the miasma that passes for air around these parts.

Thanks for the compliment!:blush:

[Wetzelbill]

14. always glad to entertain

:)